Shaheen Applauds Final Rule Protecting Title X Health Care Providers

**Shaheen: “Women’s reproductive health, and access to vital health care services like contraception, should not be obstructed by politically motivated attacks”**

 **Shaheen signed a letter in October supporting the rule to ensure healthcare providers who also provide abortion services are not discriminated against for the purposes of federal funding**

(Manchester, NH)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released a statement applauding the final rule announced by the Obama Administration today that clarifies the existing rule that ensures healthcare providers who also provide abortion services are not discriminated against for the purposes of federal funding. The Title X program provides grants for a range of family planning and reproductive health services, including STI screening and treatment, contraceptive services, HIV testing, among others. In response to a trend of state-based partisan attacks on women’s health providers that have limited access to critical services, the final rule prohibits states from excluding women’s health providers for reasons unrelated to their ability to provide Title X services effectively.

“I applaud the Obama Administration for taking action to protect access to critically important health care services for men, women and children in the Granite State and across this country,” said Senator Shaheen. “Title X funding is an important tool to ensure that people, no matter their income, can receive basic health care services such as HIV testing, well-women exams, and cancer screenings. Women’s reproductive health, and access to vital health care services like contraception, should not be obstructed by politically motivated attacks, and this final rule released today makes that clear.”

Senator Shaheen, who signed a letter in support of the rule in October, has been a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood and other healthcare providers that deliver Title X services.